Still from video of Ventura Park pump track in action.– Watch it below –

The new pump track at Ventura Park in East Portland is well on its way to being completed and we’ve got video proof of how awesome it is.

Since volunteers began slinging shovels and dirt last month, the track has taken shape nicely. The Northwest Trail Alliance is managing the build operation, under an official partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Tom Archer with NWTA says they’re about 90 percent done with the track and that, “Kids are already swamping it… It’s getting a lot of use.”

Archer had more good news to announce today. He says that local company Portland Design Works has stepped up to be the primary sponsor of the project with a donation of “several thousand” dollars.

John “Dabby” Campbell has spent many hours working the track and he took some of the first runs last week. “This is a sweet track to ride,” he shared, “It has good flow and continuity.”

Dabby sent us video of himself and others riding the new track. Check it out (Please note: Soundtrack on video is NSFW)…

This is such a promising project and we hope this is just the first of many pump track throughout the city. Stay tuned for more coverage and watch the NW Trail Alliance website for opportunities to help out.

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For what it’s worth, I had no idea what NSFW meant and watched the video anyway. No big deal as I was alone, but it may be a good idea to spell out the acronyms as not every one knows what FWIW and IANAL mean.

Maybe this public/private partnership with the Trail Alliance and the Parks Dept. will pave (unpave?) the way toward more opportunities for dirt loving riders. It would be great to see IMBA, for example, working with local agencies to increase available single track. I don’t think the general public realizes that there are orgs like IMBA and the Trail Alliance that can add these great opportunities without adding a lot of costs to taxpayers.

Interesting question. We’ve seen lot’s of riders young and old without helmets. Without getting too deep into the merits of helmets, Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation just posted the rules for Eichler Park and interestingly, helmets are suggested but not required. I haven’t talked with their legal folks but I suspect there was some legal considerations that went into the decision. Ultimately, it’s not NWTA’s call. I’m curious, what’s the signage say at the local skateparks?

Hey Tom.. If i am not mistaken all skate parks in Multnomah county have sign’s that require helmets. I believe, all children under 16 are required to where them at all times be it on bikes, boards, scooter’s or the parent faces a 250 dollarish fine. The pump track as I see it is low risk compared to say the 12 foot drop in the deep end at Pier Park! I spend countless hours at skate parks with my child, one in ten kids ever have on helmets and there is very little enforcement.

We’re working on another 2-3 potential projects and are looking for other opportunities. The requirements are pretty basic – access to water, and proximity to mass transit. If anyone has ideas for possible locations, drop a note to info@nw-trail.org.